Andrew’s Answer is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting all families in helping their loved ones, who have a diagnosis of Autism, realize their hopes and dreams. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders through fundraising, advocacy, educating and raising awareness about one of the fastest growing developmental disabilities known today.

Blake grew up in Savannah, Georgia, where he attended Savannah Christian Preparatory School. After attending the University of Georgia, he graduated with a BA in Economics. Blake is the sole proprietor of New Mark Homes, LLC, a local building company. He and his wife, Kelly, have three children, Abigail (4), Peyton (2), and Thomas (8months). Blake is currently the President of the Board of Directors for Andrew’s Answer.

Pam Holland- Vice President

Bio Coming Soon!

Beverly Olliff Filson
- Partner / Vice President

Prior to starting Joselove–Filson Advertising, Beverly Filson worked for a South Carolina based advertising agency for four years. Over the years, she’s worked with a diverse list of clients ranging from automotive to retail to construction industries. Her attention to detail is well respected throughout the local market.

Beverly also brings over five years of specialized experience in public relations, event marketing, and crisis communications to JFA. Filson formerly served as an account executive for Edelman Public Relations Worldwide in Atlanta, Georgia , where she provided public relations support for Lowes, Sears/Western Auto, Microsoft, KFC and Samsung.

A native of Statesboro, Georgia, she attended Georgia Southern University. Beverly has volunteered for the Children’s Miracle Network, Hospice and The American Red Cross. Beverly’s diverse regional and national media relations background is a tremendous asset to JFA clients. She garnered several Addy awards and won a national Silver Microphone award for two of her clients and was named 40 under 40 by The Business Report in 2005.

Susan Jaffie- Secretary

Susan Jaffie, a native of Savannah, Georgia, returned to the area in 2003 to start her own business. The Bean Scene, a portable specialty coffee cart/ fresh squeezed lemonade stand, is located on historic Wright Square. Susan has three nieces and two nephews and is the aunt of Andrew Javetz (one of “the Andrew’s”). Susan attended Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Ga. where she studied Sociology. She has a varied background in the hotel industry, having worked in Charlotte, San Francisco, and Charleston, South Carolina. Susan is the Secretary of the Board of Directors for Andrew’s Answer.

Adam Kirk- Treasurer

Bio Coming Soon!

Melinda Long Byck

Melinda has been happily married to Edwin R. Byck for 12 years. With an MA in Speech Pathology, she practiced for 7 years before deciding to work at home with her two boys, Adam (age 5) and David (age 2). Her prior work experiences have included: The Executive Director of Triad Homes for Autistic Individuals and Research Associate with The Healthy Kids Project. She is active in the community with The Junior League, Savannah Country Day Parents Association, Directors Circle of Telfair Museum, Friends of Oatland Island, and of course, Andrew’s Answer. Her hobbies include running, gardening, cooking and reading.

Aggie Cowan

Aggie serves as the Facilitator on the Parent Advisory Committee in the Savannah Chatham County Public School System’s Exceptional Child Department. In addition, she is the Chairman of the Public Awareness Committee of the Chatham-Effingham Interagency Coordinating Council. In 1996, she began advocating for parents and families through the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia, then became a parent advocate through The Matthew Reardon Center in 1998, a position she continues to serve. She is the mother of two sons, Nicholas and Andrew, and credits her passion for advocacy to the Andrew in her life!

Bates Lovett

Bates is originally from Statesboro, Georgia. After attending college and Law School at the University of Georgia, he spent four years in the Atlanta area as a prosecutor. In the summer of 2004, he moved to Savannah with his wife, Catherine, and son, William. He is an attorney with Hunter Maclean.

Kim Spencer

Kim grew up in Statesboro, Georgia. After attending Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, she graduated with a B.A. in Speech Communications from the University of Georgia. Her professional career has included positions with WAGA-TV/Fox 5 Atlanta, MCI Communications, What’s Up Atlanta, and Sockot Public Relations. She and her husband, Sam, have two children: Patrick, who is 5 years old and has been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Anna Brooke, who is 1 ½ years old.

Dudley Stone, M.D.

Dudley is a pediatrician in Savannah, Georgia. He has been in private practice for the past three years, following a general pediatric residency at Memorial Health University Medical Center. Originally from Atlanta, he attended the University of Georgia and the Medical College of Georgia. Dr. Stone is board certified through the American Board of Pediatrics and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Louisa Wilson

I am a native of Savannah. I have been happily married to my husband, Rob, for almost thirteen years. We have a marvelous little boy named Sam and another blessing on the way. I am a full-time stay at home mom and wife. I cherish the job in spite of its many challenges.

I became involved in Andrew’s Answer out of love for my dearest friend, Lynn Javetz and her wonderful son, Andrew. Lynn and I have been life-long friends and college roommates. When Andrew was first diagnosed with Autism it broke my heart for both Lynn and Andrew. However, I saw first hand how having a child with special needs changed Lynn’s life and most importantly her perspective. Instead of allowing the diagnosis to crush her spirit, Lynn turned all her energy into becoming an advocate for others who are fighting the same fight for their children. Lynn’s courageousness inspired me to get involved with Andrew’s Answer. As a fellow mother, I knew that I had to play a part, no matter how small, in helping to make a difference in the lives of these wonderful children.

Tina Tyus-Shaw

Hi, I’m Tina Tyus-Shaw. For more than a decade I have called Savannah and WSAV-TV my home. I was born in Griffin, Georgia and wanted to be a Television Broadcaster at an early age. I graduated from Tennessee State University with a B.S. in Speech, Communication and Theater. After graduating from college I worked for television and radio stations in Macon, The Outer Banks of North Carolina, and Columbus, Georgia. In April 1992, I moved to Savannah for an incredible opportunity to work at WSAV as a Reporter /Weekend Anchor. I joined the Weekday Anchor Team in September 1995. It was a thrill covering education and breaking stories live from the field during evening newscasts.

I have had the opportunity to cover and be a part of some memorable stories. In 1996, I was chosen as a Savannah torchbearer for the 1996 Olympic Torch Run across Georgia, continuing my family Olympic tradition started by my Aunt, Wyomia Tyus, a two-time 100 meter gold medalist in 1964 and 1968. I get a thrill out of helping people better their lives. I’m most proud of our Buddy Check 3 Breast Cancer Awareness Program. Early Detection is key and by getting you to join me on the third of each month to do the breast self exam I know we’re helping save lives. Together we can make a difference.

I’m married to a wonderful man, James. We have a great life together and are blessed to share four beautiful children . . . our baby daughter Celine, Dana, Chauncey, and Courtney.

Diana Morrison

A native of Claxton GA, Diana Morrison has lived in Savannah for 44 years, and for almost two-decades now, she's devoted her professional life to helping businesses, large and small, brand their identity , and express thanks to clients and employees, no matter the occasion, with quality, customized promotional products.

Along with her business responsibilities, community involvement has always been important to Diana . As such, she continues to contribute her time and talents to many area organizations, such as the Tourism Leadership Council, the Buy Local Committee , YMCA of The Coastal Empire , the Savannah Advertising Federation, the USO /Savannah Board, and others.

Over the last 10 years, the majority of Diana's community involvement has been devoted to the Savannah - Area Chamber of Commerce, where she is a Board member, as well as with the Chamber's Small Business Council, and the Georgia Chamber. In recognition of her professional achievements and success, the Savannah Chamber honored Diana with it's 2003 Helen V. Head Small Business Advocate Award, and recently named her its 2005 Entrepreneur of the Year .

Becky Bryant

Becky Bryant, Parent Mentor for Bryan County Schools, serves as a board member for Andrew’s Answer. Becky has a B.S. degree in Elementary Education and taught school in Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia for fourteen years. She lives in Richmond Hill with her husband, David, and two sons, Adam and Andrew. Adam (13) has been diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome and Andrew (11) was diagnosed with autism at the age of three.

Becky established a support group, the Autism Support Corner, seven years ago in Richmond Hill. This group serves to educate parents about resources and how to navigate their way through the special education process successfully.

Becky has also served with the Department of Education as a parent consultant with the Focus Monitoring Project. Additionally, she worked with the Bryan County Family Connection for two and one-half years as a Family Support Advocate helping the disabled to access resources and information. Becky has been working as a Parent Mentor since February of 2005.

Pam Holland

I am originally from Waukegan, Il which is a suburb of Chicago but I have made southeast Georgia my home for the past 15 years. I have been married to the same great guy for over a quarter of a century, and we have 3 wonderful kids....Danny, Christopher, and Anna. We are also Nana and Papa to our precious grand-daughter Levana who is simply a joy to behold! My two sons have Asperger's Syndrome and my grand-daughter has also been diagnosed on the spectrum. Many days at my house it seems that I am the one who is in need of special assistance as all of our "non-typical" family members do just fine with their unique challenges.

I am one of the lucky people in the world who is blessed with the opportunity to work at something I LOVE to do....I am the coordinator of lactation services at Mary Telfair Women's Hospital at Telfair Birthplace. I find it a richly rewarding experience to teach new families about their new addition and try to assist them with the life altering changes that also come with the little bundle of joy. I am an internationally board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) and many times people will ask me, "What is it that you do?", well, obviously those people have never tried to breastfeed a baby LOL! I have a BS in education and one day I might actually finish my Masters if I can decide what I want to be when I grow up. I love working with Andrew's Answer, it is thrilling to help give so many children a voice.